That the Parliament wishes to draw much-deserved attention to the achievements of the City of Glasgow College student, Mark Scott, from Shotts, who has won a gold medal at the WorldSkills UK Competition in Birmingham; congratulates Mark and the City of Glasgow College team on winning the competition overall; extends its warmest congratulations to Mark on also securing a place in Squad UK for Kazan, and appreciates the support given to Mark and all other competitors from the City of Glasgow College, both from college staff and their employers, in achieving their success.

That the Parliament wishes to draw much-deserved attention to the achievements of the City of Glasgow College student, Mark Scott, from Shotts, who has won a gold medal at the WorldSkills UK Competition in Birmingham; congratulates Mark and the City of Glasgow College team on winning the competition overall; extends its warmest congratulations to Mark on also securing a place in Squad UK for Kazan, and appreciates the support given to Mark and all other competitors from the City of Glasgow College, both from college staff and their employers, in achieving their success.

That the Parliament condemns the plans by RBS to close its Airdrie town centre branch; notes with concern that the Airdrie branch is one of 62 RBS closures in Scotland planned for 2018; recognises that these closures will disproportionally affect people with limited knowledge of and/or access to online banking; maintains that RBS has a responsibility to provide face-to-face customer service catering to all of its customers, and asks RBS to reconsider its cost-saving strategy to better reflect the needs of Scotland's people and businesses.

That the Parliament condemns the plans by RBS to close its Airdrie town centre branch; notes with concern that the Airdrie branch is one of 62 RBS closures in Scotland planned for 2018; recognises that these closures will disproportionally affect people with limited knowledge of and/or access to online banking; maintains that RBS has a responsibility to provide face-to-face customer service catering to all of its customers, and asks RBS to reconsider its cost-saving strategy to better reflect the needs of Scotland's people and businesses.

That the Parliament expresses its concern at figures obtained in a recent Clyde News investigation, which reportedly show that, between January and June 2017, 205 children were taken to A&E due to of dog bites; understands that the number of people receiving treatment for dog bites in Scotland has risen from 1,939 in 2015 to 2,027 in 2016; further understands that, in the first six months of 2017, 1,057 children and adults in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area went to hospital after being bitten; believes that these figures are very worrying; notes calls on local authorities to more effectively implement the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, and further notes calls on the Scottish Government to review existing legislation aimed at protecting people from such attacks.

That the Parliament expresses its concern at figures obtained in a recent Clyde News investigation, which reportedly show that, between January and June 2017, 205 children were taken to A&E due to of dog bites; understands that the number of people receiving treatment for dog bites in Scotland has risen from 1,939 in 2015 to 2,027 in 2016; further understands that, in the first six months of 2017, 1,057 children and adults in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area went to hospital after being bitten; believes that these figures are very worrying; notes calls on local authorities to more effectively implement the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, and further notes calls on the Scottish Government to review existing legislation aimed at protecting people from such attacks.

That the Parliament expresses its deep disappointment and concern at what it considers the failure of the EU to defend the fundamental civil rights of the people of Catalonia in respect of the violent attacks on pro-independence voters and residents by the Spanish authorities; condemns the reported comments of the European Commission's First Vice-president, Frans Timmermans, when he supported the actions of the Spanish police against Catalan citizens trying to exercise their democratic right to vote in the referendum, which it considers represented unwarranted brutality; expresses deep regret at what it sees as the EU’s lack of respect for the rights of national minorities, as expressed in Article 2 of the EU's founding treaty and Article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; believes that, while the commission has no specific powers, it and its member states have a general responsibility to ensure that the fundamental rights of groups such as the Catalans are protected in accordance with European and international law; calls on all EU member states to singularly and collectively use every available diplomatic and political tool to persuade the Spanish Government to adhere to the fundamental principles governing the EU and to pursue a negotiated settlement between itself and the Government of Catalonia, and believes that such a settlement must respects civil rights and the right to self-determination, as laid out in the charter of the UN.

That the Parliament expresses its deep disappointment and concern at what it considers the failure of the EU to defend the fundamental civil rights of the people of Catalonia in respect of the violent attacks on pro-independence voters and residents by the Spanish authorities; condemns the reported comments of the European Commission's First Vice-president, Frans Timmermans, when he supported the actions of the Spanish police against Catalan citizens trying to exercise their democratic right to vote in the referendum, which it considers represented unwarranted brutality; expresses deep regret at what it sees as the EU’s lack of respect for the rights of national minorities, as expressed in Article 2 of the EU's founding treaty and Article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; believes that, while the commission has no specific powers, it and its member states have a general responsibility to ensure that the fundamental rights of groups such as the Catalans are protected in accordance with European and international law; calls on all EU member states to singularly and collectively use every available diplomatic and political tool to persuade the Spanish Government to adhere to the fundamental principles governing the EU and to pursue a negotiated settlement between itself and the Government of Catalonia, and believes that such a settlement must respects civil rights and the right to self-determination, as laid out in the charter of the UN.

That the Parliament congratulates Caldervale High School, which is in Airdrie, on winning the Best School award at the 2017 North Lanarkshire Youth Arts Festival, which was held at Greenfaulds High School in Cumbernauld and showcased fine art from schools across Monklands; notes that the event was organised by the Visual Artist Unit, an organisation that supports and promotes the arts across Scotland; understands that Caldervale high’s art and design department was recognised for its submission of self-portraits and prints, and wishes the school every success with its future creative work.

That the Parliament congratulates Caldervale High School, which is in Airdrie, on winning the Best School award at the 2017 North Lanarkshire Youth Arts Festival, which was held at Greenfaulds High School in Cumbernauld and showcased fine art from schools across Monklands; notes that the event was organised by the Visual Artist Unit, an organisation that supports and promotes the arts across Scotland; understands that Caldervale high’s art and design department was recognised for its submission of self-portraits and prints, and wishes the school every success with its future creative work.

That Parliament notes with concern that North Lanarkshire Council has decided to remove and replace five experienced members of staff from Mavisbank School in Airdrie; understands that the school supports 25 people aged from five to 18 who have complex additional support and significant medical needs; considers that the local authority has so far failed to address the concerns of families, despite these being raised repeatedly; further notes that over 3,000 people have signed a petition calling on North Lanarkshire Council to abandon these plans, and calls on the council to reconsider its proposals by pausing its implementation and by engaging in consultation with the families of Mavisbank School pupils.

That Parliament notes with concern that North Lanarkshire Council has decided to remove and replace five experienced members of staff from Mavisbank School in Airdrie; understands that the school supports 25 people aged from five to 18 who have complex additional support and significant medical needs; considers that the local authority has so far failed to address the concerns of families, despite these being raised repeatedly; further notes that over 3,000 people have signed a petition calling on North Lanarkshire Council to abandon these plans, and calls on the council to reconsider its proposals by pausing its implementation and by engaging in consultation with the families of Mavisbank School pupils.

That the Parliament congratulates Caldercraig Bowling Club on receiving £9,800 from the Big Lottery Fund's Awards for All scheme and sportscotland; understands that the funding will be used to encourage participation and increase accessibility, and further understands that nearly £6,350 is going to Chapelhall over-60’s club to help run its busy programme of activities for members over the course of the next year.

That the Parliament congratulates Caldercraig Bowling Club on receiving £9,800 from the Big Lottery Fund's Awards for All scheme and sportscotland; understands that the funding will be used to encourage participation and increase accessibility, and further understands that nearly £6,350 is going to Chapelhall over-60’s club to help run its busy programme of activities for members over the course of the next year.

That the Parliament notes with concern the closure of Airdrie Savings Bank (ASB); understands that ASB was the last survivor of Britain's independent savings banks; recognises that the people who ran it, many of them on a voluntary basis at board level, are now having to face this closure because of the very tight regulatory regime that now exists for banks in the UK; believes that the consequences of the 2008 financial crash meant that it became impossible for a small bank such as the ASB to survive; notes with concern that up to 70 staff will lose their jobs over the next few months, and urges the Scottish Government and all relevant agencies to support the people affected by the closure.

That the Parliament notes with concern the closure of Airdrie Savings Bank (ASB); understands that ASB was the last survivor of Britain's independent savings banks; recognises that the people who ran it, many of them on a voluntary basis at board level, are now having to face this closure because of the very tight regulatory regime that now exists for banks in the UK; believes that the consequences of the 2008 financial crash meant that it became impossible for a small bank such as the ASB to survive; notes with concern that up to 70 staff will lose their jobs over the next few months, and urges the Scottish Government and all relevant agencies to support the people affected by the closure.

That the Parliament congratulates everyone associated with Airdrie-based suicide prevention charity, Chris’s House, on it being awarded £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund; understands that Chris’s House is Scotland’s first 24-hour non-medical mental health crisis facility and provides support and assistance to people experiencing thoughts of suicide; believes that the money will allow the organisation to grow and expand, and wishes everyone involved with it all the best.

That the Parliament congratulates everyone associated with Airdrie-based suicide prevention charity, Chris’s House, on it being awarded £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund; understands that Chris’s House is Scotland’s first 24-hour non-medical mental health crisis facility and provides support and assistance to people experiencing thoughts of suicide; believes that the money will allow the organisation to grow and expand, and wishes everyone involved with it all the best.

That the Parliament congratulates everyone at All Saints' Primary School in Airdrie on it winning a prestigious sportscotland Gold School Sport Award; notes that this national award, which recognises innovation and achievement in delivering physical education and extracurricular sport, was presented to staff and pupils on 23 November 2016; understands that the initiative aims to encourage schools to continuously improve physical education and sport, but that a only a select few schools have Gold status, and wishes the staff and pupils continued sporting success.

That the Parliament congratulates everyone at All Saints' Primary School in Airdrie on it winning a prestigious sportscotland Gold School Sport Award; notes that this national award, which recognises innovation and achievement in delivering physical education and extracurricular sport, was presented to staff and pupils on 23 November 2016; understands that the initiative aims to encourage schools to continuously improve physical education and sport, but that a only a select few schools have Gold status, and wishes the staff and pupils continued sporting success.

To ask the Scottish Government what legal requirements there are on private car park providers to allocate parking spaces for the specific use of disabled drivers.

Answered byHumza Yousaf
(29/11/2017):

The Equality Act 2010 states that providers of services to the public must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to remove barriers which may discriminate against disabled people. Private car park operators should provide larger ‘disabled’ parking spaces near to the entrance or amenities for disabled people whose mobility is impaired. We continue to work with the private parking industry and other stakeholders to improve how disabled parking provision is managed and enforced in Scotland.

Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 29/11/2017

To ask the Scottish Government what legal requirements there are on private car park providers to allocate parking spaces for the specific use of disabled drivers.

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 can be used in Scotland by private car park providers to impose parking fines.

Answered byHumza Yousaf
(22/11/2017):

Private parking companies operating in Scotland cannot rely on the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 to administer parking charge notices in Scotland as the Act currently does not apply here. Private car park operators can charge for parking but, only those who are members of an Accredited Trade Association can obtain vehicle keeper information from the DVLA for parking enforcement purposes. Currently only the British Parking Association and the Independent Parking Community have such accreditation and have approximately 200 members between them.

Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002 provides for the release of information from the DVLA's vehicle register to private and public sector organisations, including private parking operators in Scotland providing they can demonstrate reasonable cause to have it.

Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 22/11/2017

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 can be used in Scotland by private car park providers to impose parking fines.

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria police officers use when determining whether to detain a person under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, and under what circumstances officers would consider interviewing without detention.

Answered byMichael Matheson
(27/03/2017):

This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority. Where issues arise that concern the wider policy and legislative framework that Ministers are responsible for, then the Scottish Government would give due consideration to these.

Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27/03/2017

To ask the Scottish Government what criteria police officers use when determining whether to detain a person under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, and under what circumstances officers would consider interviewing without detention.

To ask the Scottish Government how many detentions in relation to (a) sexual offences and (b) indecency have been made under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in each of the last three years, also broken down by how many involved a sibling being detained.

Answered byMichael Matheson
(27/03/2017):

This information is not held centrally and is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority.

Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27/03/2017

To ask the Scottish Government how many detentions in relation to (a) sexual offences and (b) indecency have been made under section 14 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in each of the last three years, also broken down by how many involved a sibling being detained.

To ask the Scottish Government what training is given to police officers regarding how to determine the difference between sibling curiosity and sexual abuse or indecency; who (a) provides and (b) is given this training, and at what stage in an officer’s career this is provided.

Answered byMichael Matheson
(27/03/2017):

This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority. Where issues arise that concern the wider policy and legislative framework that Ministers are responsible for, then the Scottish Government would give due consideration to these.

Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27/03/2017

To ask the Scottish Government what training is given to police officers regarding how to determine the difference between sibling curiosity and sexual abuse or indecency; who (a) provides and (b) is given this training, and at what stage in an officer’s career this is provided.

To ask the Scottish Government what standard of proof is applied by police officers to differentiate whether an allegation of sexual assault or indecency by a child against a sibling can be considered as sibling curiosity, including what elements in the case must be present.

Answered byMichael Matheson
(27/03/2017):

This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority. Where issues arise that concern the wider policy and legislative framework that Ministers are responsible for, then the Scottish Government would give due consideration to these.

Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27/03/2017

To ask the Scottish Government what standard of proof is applied by police officers to differentiate whether an allegation of sexual assault or indecency by a child against a sibling can be considered as sibling curiosity, including what elements in the case must be present.

To ask the Scottish Government what procedures police officers use when investigating allegations from a person that they have been sexually or indecently assaulted by a sibling or adult relative, and what differences there are in handling allegations (a) made by (i) a child against a child, (ii) a child against an adult and (iii) an adult against an adult, and (b) of historical abuse.

Answered byMichael Matheson
(27/03/2017):

This is an operational matter for the Chief Constable, with oversight by the Scottish Police Authority. Where issues arise that concern the wider policy and legislative framework that Ministers are responsible for, then the Scottish Government would give due consideration to these.

Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 27/03/2017

To ask the Scottish Government what procedures police officers use when investigating allegations from a person that they have been sexually or indecently assaulted by a sibling or adult relative, and what differences there are in handling allegations (a) made by (i) a child against a child, (ii) a child against an adult and (iii) an adult against an adult, and (b) of historical abuse.

To ask the Scottish Government when the Lord Advocate will publish a substantive response to the letters sent to him on 7 June, 30 July and 15 December 2016 from members of the Justice for Megrahi committee, which sought clarification on the Crown Office and Police Scotland enquiries into criminal allegations arising from the Abdelbaset al-Megrahi case.

Answered byJames Wolffe QC
(02/03/2017):

The correspondence referred to above has been responded to on 28 February 2017.

Current Status: Answered by James Wolffe QC on 02/03/2017

To ask the Scottish Government when the Lord Advocate will publish a substantive response to the letters sent to him on 7 June, 30 July and 15 December 2016 from members of the Justice for Megrahi committee, which sought clarification on the Crown Office and Police Scotland enquiries into criminal allegations arising from the Abdelbaset al-Megrahi case.